Best Swag for 12 Popular 1980s Movies You Can’t Live Without

I don’t know about you, but I’ll never get tired of talking about the 1980s. And I’ll especially never tire of discussing my favorite films from the 1980s.

Sure, some of these movies have bad special effects (by today’s standards), plot holes, and melodrama, but none of that matters when nostalgia is involved! All of these films debuted 20+ years ago, but many of them are more popular now than they were in the initial release.

Promotional products rock, and this post will prove it. See what designers are doing with the 1980s films they love, the creativity in their brains, and a few products like t-shirts, stickers, hats, and more!

These BTTF goodies are heavy, Doc. Did you know you can buy a replica of the hologram hat worn by Marty McFly (and Marty McFly, Jr) from the second movie? Because you totally can. Bonus nerd points for you if the Pinheads shirt on the right looks familiar!

Yeah, that’s right: There’s a proton pack backpack for sale on 80s Tees! My husband carries his around at cons and gets tons of compliments. Also feast your eyes upon the Stay-Puft hat on the right, and think about all of the people you could freak out just by leaning your head down while it’s on… (Not pictured: An artist on RedBubble has a killer design featuring the Scholeri brothers from the second movie, too).

Some may disagree with me, but John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club is one of those 80s films that’s a whole lot better if you grew up watching it. But even so, there’s no shortage of swag for the film, including the Shermer High School design on the left (available in a t-shirt or a sticker) and the homemade magnets or buttons on the right from a seller on Etsy.

Shermer High School design by waywardtees on Red Bubble. Breakfast Club magnets/buttons by cowboygoods on Etsy.

Clue has always been and will always be one of my favorite movies. The jokes are still funny, the cast is excellent, and it doesn’t lose its appeal despite the fact I’ve memorized all 3 endings. That’s why I thoroughly enjoyed the custom dinner party invitations from CafePress (left) and the Clue weapon t-shirt (right) pictured here. What do you think?

If I hadn’t grown up watching The Goonies, then I wouldn’t know how to do the Truffle Shuffle and I wouldn’t be half as interested in shiny objects. Therefore, I immediately struggled with my “need vs. want” instincts when I laid eyes on the pint glass set on the right and the Rocky Road t-shirt design on the left. COME ON, how could you be a fan and not want both of those?!? (By the way, doesn’t this item remind you of the movie?)

I wasn’t allowed to watch Airplane! until the 1990s (my parents thought it was too racy for me), but it’s still a 1980s classic. If you’re a fan, then surely you’ll recognize the Otto t-shirt on the left and the Roger Roger design on the right. And don’t call me Shirley.

Was I the only 80s girl who grew up with a huge crush on Harrison Ford? His role as Han Solo in Star Wars is unforgettable, but the Indiana Jones series will be dear to me until the day I croak. My nerd heart fluttered with excitement when I saw the “Choose Wisely” design on the left and the Marshall College Archaeology Department design on the right — how about you?

You Have Chosen Wisely design by saqman on Red Bubble. Marshall College Archaeology Dept design by Daniel Rubinstein on Red Bubble.

Handbook for the Recently Deceased journal by n3do on Etsy. It’s Show Time design by Adam Campen on Red Bubble.

Life moves pretty fast, but you’ll have the chance to slow down a bit if you’re channeling everyone’s favorite slacker, Ferris Bueller. How does one accomplish that? Either wear the Save Ferris t-shirt pictured on the left or the Ferris costume shirt on the right, of course!

Pee Wee Herman popped up everywhere we looked in the 1980s, and it all started with Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. You can show off your zany side by donning one of these cool designs! The “I Know You Are, but What am I?” design on the left looks like his signature gray suit when it’s on, and the “Pee Wee Phone Home” design on the right is reminiscent of the movie in a big way.

I Know You Are, But What Am I design by A.J. Paglia on Red Bubble. Pee Wee Phones Home design by Eli Rutten on Red Bubble.

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So, now that you know my top picks, which of these films is your favorite from the decade? If you’re looking to pass some time and need a bit of retro inspiration, then head over to Retro Junk to peruse what they’ve got going on. From old commercials and images to lots and lots of compilation list, that site is nailing it for any nostalgia fan like me!

Which of these items would you most like to own? Have you found more 1980s movie merchandise you’d like to share? Leave a comment below!

Images are the property of the designers and artists who created them. All rights reserved.

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Jill Tooley

Jill has been obsessed with words since her fingers could turn the pages of a book. She’s a hopeless bibliophile who recently purchased a Kindle after almost 6 years of radical opposition, and she loves stumbling upon new music on Pandora. Random interests include (but are not limited to) bookstores, movie memorabilia, and adorable rodents. Jill writes for the QLP blog and assists with the company’s social media accounts. You can connect with Jill on Google+.

Comments

THIS POST IS AWWWWWWESOME!!!!! Strong work! Epic choices! I don’t think I will ever tire of any of these especially the additional Willow, Dark Crystal, and Legend. Much to Joe’s chagrin any Molly Ringwald movies are also something I will never tire of. 80’s movies just hit the spot sometimes, I feel at home! Great Post!

The Breakfast Club is my favorite movie of all time and after reading this I now will go broke with my next paycheck. Thanks Jill! Great post! All of these movies bring me back and Clue is a very under rated and fantastic movie. Excuse me while I go buy the handbook for the recently deceased.

LOVED me some Ghostbusters. I’d the full, two-piece sweatsuit jumpsuit and the proton pack, to boot. Probably one of my favorite Halloween costumes, period…so much so, I’d wear those on days it wasn’t the holiday. Here’s hoping they make another!

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